Licensing Manager
Hot Topic HQ - City of Industry, California
Merchandising & Visual Design – Licensing /
Full-time /
Hybrid
Do you love pop culture? Hot Topic is seeking a Licensing Manager to lead new and exciting projects that bring fan-favorite franchises to life. This entrepreneurial role requires strong licensing expertise, project management skills, and a passion for fandoms. The Licensing Manager will serve as a key liaison—working diplomatically with licensors, internal teams, and consumers to drive initiatives forward, including Print-On-Demand (POD), Creator programs, and other strategic partnerships.
This role operates on a hybrid schedule and will require to work from our HQ located in the City of Industry, CA three days a week.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
- Manage and drive stand-alone licensing projects, acting as the primary point of contact for all project aspects—including Print-On-Demand and Creator programs, forecasting, and royalty management.
- Build and maintain strong licensor relationships; negotiate and implement licensing programs in collaboration with the Licensing Strategy & Partnerships Director and Sr. Manager of Vendor Direct Commerce.
- Oversee project timelines and deliverables, ensuring contracts, product approvals, and launches are executed on time. Serve as a key conduit between the POD Operations, Creative, and Licensing teams.
- Develop and execute strategies in partnership with department leaders to improve processes and outcomes.
- Lead, mentor, and manage Licensing Coordinators, Specialists, and other team members, fostering growth, accountability, and collaboration.
- Collaborate with Hot Topic Marketing and licensors to coordinate and deliver marketing campaigns.
- Work closely with Hot Topic, BoxLunch, and Her Universe buyers to encourage retail placement and support program success.
- Partner with Licensing Coordinators and Specialists to ensure timely approvals, accurate tracking, and audit readiness.
- Track key metrics, royalty obligations, and market trends to inform decision-making and program success.
- Report program updates, challenges, and wins to the Licensing Strategy & Partnerships Director and Sr. Manager of Vendor Direct Commerce.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- Deep knowledge of pop culture, fandoms, and licensed merchandise.
- 5–7 years of experience in licensing, entertainment, or pop culture retail.
- Proven leadership and team management skills; experience mentoring and developing a high-performing team within a licensing or consumer products function.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills across licensors, consumers, merchants, marketing, e-commerce, and legal teams.
- Excellent negotiation and contract management skills, with a solid understanding of licensing agreements, royalties, and compliance.
- Strong analytical and financial acumen, including forecasting, royalty reporting, and data-driven strategy development.
- Proficiency with licensing and royalty management software (e.g., RightsLogic, Flowhaven, or equivalent), contract management platforms, and project management tools (e.g., Monday.com, Asana).
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment, managing multiple complex projects simultaneously with shifting priorities and tight deadlines.
- A passion for pop culture and a deep understanding of fan communities and consumer behavior.
- A 4-year college degree is preferred.
- Global or regional market knowledge is a plus.
$85,000 - $100,000 a year
Please note the pay range for this position starts as listed in the job posting, but other factors such as an individual’s education, location, meeting the minimum job requirements for the role, training and experience, will determine the final salary for potential new hires.
